To be considered for admission to the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at The University of Texas Medical Branch - Galveston, applicants must complete and submit a CASPA application, official transcripts, and supporting documents on or before
the published deadline.
- GPA
- Overall GPA Minimum: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (all course grades from undergraduate and graduate courses are used in GPA calculations)
- Science GPA Minimum: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.(all science course grades from undergraduate and graduate courses are used in the science GPA calculations)
- CASPer
- Applicants must complete the CASPer requirement
- Register for a CASPer test date after you receive your CASPA ID at www.acuityinsights.app
- PREREQUISITES
| PREREQUISITE COURSEWORK | REQUIRED CREDITS |
| Microbiology/Bacteriology with Lab | 4 |
| Biochemistry | 3 |
| Genetics | 3 |
| Human Anatomy with Lab | 4 |
| Human Physiology with Lab | 4 |
| Organic Chemistry with Lab | 4 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| Medical Terminology | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: 29 | |
- Prerequisites effective with class matriculating in July 2025.
- Prerequisite courses must be passed with letter grade of grades of "C" or better
- Prerequisites may be taken at any accredited college or university which includes online or distance courses
- Advanced placement, credit by exam or pass/fail courses do not meet our requirements
- Prior learning experiences (courses at another PA program or health care program), continuing education, CME, and/or workforce credits are not counted to fulfill prerequisite courses
- Prerequisite coursework must be completed within the last ten years from the September 1 deadline date.
- All science courses must be designated for "science majors."
- Appropriate fees must be paid to CASPA and UTMB.
All prerequisite credits and receipt of the bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university must be completed no later than the end of the spring semester of the year of matriculation.
Download: Admissions Self-Appraisal Checklist (PDF)
International Students: Only college work completed at a U.S. or Canadian college or university, fully accredited by the regional accrediting agency or its equivalent, is acceptable and no waivers of this condition will be granted.
Application Process
- CASPA Application. Complete and submit your CASPA application. Applications must be
verified by September 1(11:59 pm EST). Check the CASPA website for information regarding your application status.
- Supplemental Application. Once UTMB Enrollment Services receives and processes your CASPA application, they will send you the supplemental application link by email along with your UTMB MyStar ID number. Complete, submit, and pay
for your supplemental application.
- CASPer Application.
- PA-CAT and the GRE are no longer a requirement of the UTMB program.
- Recommendation Letters. Three (3) letters of recommendation are required and must be sent directly to CASPA.
Other
- Rolling Admissions. UTMB has a rolling admissions process; therefore, your application is open until you hear from us with a final decision.
- Technical Standards. Candidates must meet the minimum technical standards,
with or without reasonable accommodations.
- UTMB PA Campus Tour.
Visiting the campus is often the best way for a prospective student to get a complete picture of a university and its program. We invite you to sign up for one of our campus tours.
- Open Houses. Please check our website for information on open houses and consider signing up for one of our information sessions.
- Interview Preference given to Texas residents, first-generation college students, environmentally or economically disadvantaged, and military service (veteran, active, reserves). However, all applicants will be considered.
- Healthcare Experience and Community Service. We do not require community service, healthcare experience, patient care experience or shadowing. However, these hours are considered in the application review process and can contribute
to the competitiveness of the application.
- Deposit. If you are accepted, you will be required to pay a deposit of $1,000 for a position in the class, which is payable at the time you accept admission. This deposit is non-refundable. Instructions for this process will be included
in the acceptance letter. Deposit will be applied to accepted students first semester tuition.